he Book of Acts tells of two men who have the same name. One of the men tried to make others think he was a great servant of the Lord. In reality, he was a liar. The other man answered the call of the Lord even though he was afraid. Who are these men? Both are named Ananias, but their lives demonstrated very different priorities.
First, consider the Ananias of Acts 5:1-11.
But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession. And he kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles’ feet. But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.” Then Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and breathed his last. So great fear came upon all those who heard these things. And the young men arose and wrapped him up, carried him out, and buried him. Now it was about three hours later when his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. And Peter answered her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much?” She said, “Yes, for so much.” Then Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.” Then immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. And the young men came in and found her dead, and carrying her out, buried her by her husband. So great fear came upon all the church and upon all who heard these things.
The last six verses of Acts 4 explain how the infant church was growing. Many Jews came to Jerusalem intending to spend a specific amount of time to celebrate Pentecost. With the birth of the church, the new Christians remained in Jerusalem longer than planned so they could learn from the apostles. Funds and provisions were depleted while they remained. Christians from the Jerusalem area sold possessions and gave the money to the apostles, who made sure every Christian’s needs were met. One individual, Barnabas, is specifically mentioned by name as contributing to the needs of others.
Ananias could have done great things for the church, but he instead chose to seek the world’s glory. As a possessor of land, Ananias had some wealth. Seeing the praise given to those who sacrificed for the church, Ananias wanted a piece of that praise. He sold some land and claimed to give all of the proceeds to the apostles. There was no sin in keeping part of the money for himself. The sin came from claiming all the money from the sale was turned over to the apostles. He also led his wife to sin in this matter. Ananias wanted the praise of men more than he wanted the praise of God. His reward was immediate, divine punishment—death.
Now consider the Ananias of Acts 9:10-19.
Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and to him the Lord said in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” So the Lord said to him, “Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying. And in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, so that he might receive his sight.” Then Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name.” But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.” And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized. So when he had received food, he was strengthened. Then Saul spent some days with the disciples at Damascus.
Saul (Hebrew name), later called Paul (Greek name), spent a great deal of time and effort persecuting Christians. His actions appeared to be well known throughout the region. Understandably, when Ananias received a message from God to go to Saul, Ananias expressed some fear. However, Ananias did not let that fear stop him from obeying God. He demonstrated faith in God when he accepted God’s word on the matter and immediately went to Saul. As a result, Saul was baptized and became a great leader and proclaimer of the Word.
Ironically, both men named Ananias helped the church grow. The death of the first Ananias caused great fear among those who heard about what happened, both inside and outside the church. Acts 5:12-14 says that many listened to the apostles after hearing about Ananias, and “believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women” (5:14). The second Ananias led Saul to become a Christian, a man who later traveled the world leading both Jews and Gentiles to Christ. Though the actions of both men led to church growth, only one left an example we should follow. Which Ananias are you—the liar who wanted the world’s praise or the man who in humble obedience let faith in God overcome fear?
